In other action, the supervisors voted unanimously to spend $268,000 to have two currently owned ambulance "boxes" put on new chassis in an effort to save money.

Procurement director Alan Culpeper said that two new ambulances would cost about $190,000 each, not including emergency equipment, so rebuilding the old ones would save almost $150,000.

Emergency Services Director Tom Williams added that the new chassis will be International instead of Ford, which are now being used. He said the Ford engines have been plagued with problems.

"I'm almost embarrassed to tell you how much we have spent in repair bills for them," Williams said.

The board took no action to stop its traffic impact fee--postponed for 12 months a year ago--from going into effect July 1.

That fee will impact the price of new homes and add substantial costs to new businesses that generate traffic. The money raised will be used to fund highway projects.

In another matter, the rezoning request for the Clevinger's Corner project for 275 homes was tabled for 60 days, until the July meeting, at the request of developer Jim Epstein.

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com